January 2010 Archives

Finally, the Front Range is back into a typical winter routine. Fifty-degree sunny days are standard, with a few snowy ones to even it out. This November and December were atypically cold and the snow took a long time to melt and just got dirty.

Background:
The InterLink program is a club of 1^st year MBAs, half from the US and half from somewhere else.  International students are matched up with US students and they usually get together for coffee or lunch once a week. The result of these meetings are that International students get a point person to ask questions about US culture; US students get to expand their network internationally and learn some really interesting things. This weekend we decided to take advantage of our excellent weather and get out as a group for a winter hiking experience.

Destination:
The Ceren St. Vrain trail is just west of Jamestown Colorado and only 35 minutes from Boulder. There is a flowing river during the summer and several very large flat spots that would be excellent for a group camping outing.  We went there because this trail is a bit different than most trails in Colorado.

There are large meadows full of tall lodgepole pines with no pine needles until high up the tree. The result is a trail that weaves through many bare trunks - it looks really cool.

Picnic with a view:
I was really happy with this trip because we made it very high up on the trail. Miller Rock has excellent back range views of Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and Longs Peak. It was a beautiful sunny day and we had a picnic at a big rock table of pasta salad, sandwiches (Reuben, peanut butter and Nutella) and some Tzatziki sauce with pita bread to dip.  We try to keep it international, even when in the wilderness.

Afterglow:
We ended up getting back to Boulder around 4pm and headed straight to Boulder Beer Co for a few libations to cap off the trip. Unfortunately, they were closed. But no worries, I don't mind leaving the trip open. Memories of the trip have been creeping back into my head over the last few days.

This trip is a great example of why I love this program.  It's full of smart people who like the outdoors and are not afraid to try something brand new.

This month, twenty-six students from the Leeds School of Business descended on Omaha to meet the man himself, Mr. Warren Buffett. In what we will call an 'invigorating' negative 25 degrees, the students traveled through the city to tour Nebraska Furniture Mart, followed by a Q&A session with Mr. Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway and lunch at his favorite restaurant, Piccolo's. After lunch each student was able to take a couple of pictures with Mr. Buffett, who was such an incredible sport... even getting down on one knee as though he was proposing to a student from another university! After the photo session we toured Borsheims, the jewelry store owned by Berkshire Hathaway. The staff was amazing, putting a $130,000 'museum quality' ring on my finger, demonstrating that they understand the value of gaining customers early!

I have included some 'Buffett insights' from the Q&A session below. Overall, I was delighted by his candid demeanor, sharing thoughts on everything from his recent foreign investments, to thoughts on personal relationships - making sure to remind us of 'what it's all about.' Here are some of my favorites:

"Over time, money will depreciate in value... the best hedge against that is your talent. Regardless of the currency, you'll get your share."

"Talent and realization of potential is the best asset in an inflationary period."

"Do you have an inner scorecard or outer scorecard? Would you rather be the worst lover and thought of as the best, or the best lover and thought of as the worst?"

"Getting a good idea funded in this country is a cinch!" -In response to a question about innovation, entrepreneurship and lending practices.

"Berkshire Hathaway is my canvas and I paint a picture. I hope people admire, but I paint for myself."

"You can always tell someone to go to hell tomorrow." -On having a positive attitude.

"Look around the room, who would you seek 10% ownership in, and who would you short 10%?" -On evaluating your peers and yourself.

How do you want people to remember you? Buffett: "At the end, I hope people will say 'Boy, he was old!'" 

Wow. It's amazing to think that the first semester of my final year in the MBA program is complete! Grades are in, break is nearly over and I'm ready to begin the final term!

So much happened over the last six weeks! Food & Wine Club had two events, both of which were held over Boulder's Restaurant Week, and absolutely spectacular! Thirteen students gathered at Salt, a new restaurant in Boulder, for a wonderful culinary experience and great service! Later that week, a large group of students, significant others and faculty joined together for a lovely meal at Black Cat. Overall, fall semester had great turn-out for each event and I am so excited for this semester's events: cooking classes, wine nights and a lovely meal at Frasca are in the works!

Warren Buffett Trip

I am also thrilled to report that for the second year, Leeds MBA students will be traveling to Omaha to meet Warren Buffett! Throughout the daylong trip, students will be visiting Berkshire Hathaway followed by lunch with 'The Oracle' himself and ending in a Q&A session where each school will ask Mr. Buffett three to five questions.

When I was selected to attend the trip I shared the news with a foodie friend of mine. He suggested that I lunch with one of his favorite customers, Ms. Herta Kahn, a peer of Warren Buffett and one of the first female stockbrokers in the US. She shared a story about being invited to the 100^th birthday party of a mutual friend of her and Warren Buffett's, and having to miss due to her late husband's illness. Ms. Kahn wrote Warren Buffett a letter asking for a rain check, and shortly thereafter received a handwritten letter from Mr. Buffett asking her to attend the annual shareholder meeting in Omaha.

We shared a lovely lunch, discussed her amazing experience in the world of finance and she even shared her thoughts on dating! I hope to have the opportunity to mention my lunch date to Mr. Buffett and look forward to posting details of our trip!